The Census of 2011 reveals that India's decadal population growth over 2001 decelerated significantly to 17.6% from 21.5% in the previous decade. The decline is present in most of the states, but, some of the more populous states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan exhibited growth rates of above 20%. While the overall sex ratio turned in favour of females, the ratio in respect of children in the age group of up to six years has turned adverse. The literacy rate has improved from roughly two-thirds to three-fourths over the decade.

Banks have not paid sufficient attention in the post-reform period to the societal goals that they were expected to pursue. For this, at least in part the Reserve Bank must take the blame. Its system of monitoring the banks' performances under various regulations is at best inefficient and at worst biased. While it makes a rigorous review of prudential norms attained by banks, it does not attempt to evaluate and enforce targets set for societal goals.

Current Statistics

Review of Rural Affairs: June 29, 2013
With Indian agriculture growing slowly, employment in agriculture too has been increasing at a low rate. Urban employment has not expanded rapidly enough to provide work for the growing rural population. So, is the rise in non-agricultural employment in recent years driven more by distress than demand? Three articles in this edition of the Review of Rural Affairs look at aspects of this issue.
A couple of related issues that are examined are the growth of “non-cultivating households” and the movement of wages of agricultural labour.